This has been a strange round for me. In the last three rounds of 2011, I wrote and published a novella for each. That’s when I did the Libby Fox series, which consists of Dark Relic: Vampires’ Curse, Secrets of the Wolf, and Search for the Vampires’ Curse. I loved writing these novellas, and I hope the sales of them pick up someday. My older works still do better than these novellas, or the compilation of them, Vampires’ Curse. I have yet to figure out what makes some books sell better than others, even when the ones that are selling aren’t quite as good as the ones that aren’t. Anyway, I digress and ramble. This round, I just couldn’t get my motivation together. I would have some days where I wrote, then many other days when I didn’t. This was so foreign to me, because I had always stuck to goals and written most days of each round. I don’t know what happened to me. I felt like I was so busy with other things in life and didn’t have the energy for writing, I guess. I really envy those who can write any time of the day because they’re not burdened by a time-consuming day job. I want to be in that situation someday. I WILL be in that situation someday. So I didn’t finish my current WIP in this round. But that’s okay because I can continue it in Round Three. No one is going to beat me with a stick for not meeting the goal I had of finishing this round. I LOVE ROW80. The word count has been good the past two days. Monday – 1119 and Tuesday – 1061. I think it’s really helped to stop focusing on a certain word count every day (usually 500) and just focusing on spending a set amount of time with my WIP. This has actually led to higher word counts, as you can see. 🙂 So I feel like I’m really back on track.
Exercise and eating habits are going well. I planned to only report specifics about this on Sundays, but since this is the last check in for the round, I’ll do it here. I walked at lunch both Monday and Tuesday, and I rode my bike Tuesday evening. I’ve been leaving food on my plate and stopping when I’m satisfied. If I feel like having a burger, I have one, but leave off the french fries. Sometimes it takes just changing little things to make a difference. I buttoned a pair of shorts today that I usually leave unbuttoned and just zip up. Yay!
I look forward to Round Three, and I hope the rest of you will join me again. It’s been fun!
lauralynnelliott.com 
Maybe it’s seasonal. My writing has taken a sporadic turn as well. The productive days have been extra productive, but I’m not very regular. It’s sort of working out to be a wash.
If you figure out the super-secret-magic-trick as to why some books sell better than others… let me know before you become a bazillionaire.
See ya in 3.
Who knows why we are more motivated at certain times? And as far as figuring out why some books sell better than others, I haven’t a clue. I know it’s not the covers, because my best seller doesn’t have nearly as good a cover as my Libby Fox novellas. Maybe it’s the title. Maybe it was timing. An author friend, Ruth Ann Nordin, who does this for a living (and does well) still hasn’t figured out why some of her books sell better than others. It’s probably going to remain life’s great mystery. LOL
This last Round was off for me too.
“I really envy those who can write any time of the day because they’re not burdened by a time-consuming day job.” — Ha! Trust me, just because there isn’t a time-consuming day job doesn’t mean writing any time of day. Life has a sneaking way of railroading you.
All and all, it sounds like you did well this Round, kudos. Enjoy the break and have a fabulous Round 3.
I KNEW someone would come back on me for that remark. LOL. But, seriously, I spend 8 hours at work, an hour at lunch, and about 45 minutes driving to and from work. I keep thinking about how I could be writing instead of doing all that. The thing is, I wouldn’t be writing the whole 8 hours (my hands hurt if I write any more than an hour or two), so not only could I write during that time, I could get HOUSEWORK done. 🙂 Can you tell I would love to quit my day job?
I’m hoping Round 3 will be better for both of us. See you there!
I sucked at sticking to eating right, and I only walked once during the week. 😦
I can’t imagine trying to balance a job while trying to make word counts. I’m not saying I always manage it without a job, but having a job would make it harder. At least with me, if a free slot comes up and I have ten or fifteen minutes, something will get written.
But as for housework… *shivers* They say a messy house means many books, right? LOL
I think my blood pressure scare made me decide to do what I needed to do. I just wish I had done it sooner.
You walked once during the week. That’s better than not walking at all. If you keep at it, it will eventually form a habit, and that’s what we’re shooting for. I don’t always eat “right”, but I’m learning to eat less. Then I will try to start adding some healthy things to my diet. This is an ongoing process, and I’ve found that being too rigid with it is what has caused me not to stick to it. Ruth, just do little things at first. Leave two bites of your meal. Walk ten minutes if you can’t do thirty. Little changes to lifestyle will eventually lead to bigger changes. You can do it and so can I!
If I could quite my job, I can think of lots of things I could do. I would want to set aside certain times for writing. But I would also like to get more involved in things the church is doing to help others. I can’t do as much as I would like because I work, and most of it is left to older women who don’t work. We have a few younger ones that don’t work, but not many. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the need to help other people.
I am so, so lucky that I have a husband that is very good at doing housework. And he does the majority of it. But I’m starting to feel really guilty about that. He shouldn’t have to do as much as he does because he works hard at his job. I would LOVE to stay home and do more. If I could just write that best seller…. 🙂
Good luck to you! I hope I share your talent in writing 🙂
Thanks, Gian! Good luck with your writing.
Good luck on finding the motivation again! I know those phases, but I haven’t had one for a while, luckily.
See you next round!
Thanks, Ruth! I hope my motivation stays high. I think it will because I feel like I’m back on track.
See ya there!
When I’m questioning my progress, I take a look back over the past year and I’m completely thrilled. I’m sure if you look at it that way, you will be too. 🙂
That’s a good idea. We should look at what we’ve accomplished, not what we haven’t. 🙂
I feel the same way you do! I didn’t meet my ultimate goal, but there’s always Round 3! (And I totally forgot to check-in on Wed!!)
Hi Claudia! I intend to finish and publish this book in Round 3. 🙂 We are going to have ups and downs, and Round 2 was just one of my downs. LOL
See ya in Round 3!
I find that life has that sneaky way of getting in the way of our plans but it’s how we react that matters. And sometimes that reaction means less time for writing. But that is what ROW80 is for, right? Life happens and we re-adjust, and there is always another round to re-think, plan and move forward with. 🙂 You did great in that you had goals, did your best, and now, after reflection, are still ready to tackle another round. That in itself is an accomplishment in my eyes! See you in Round 3!
Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Kat. One thing about me is it’s rare that I give up. Even when I fail, I go back to it. I hope Round 3 is going to be a great one for everyone, and that motivation is high. 🙂